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Queensland Ballet Triumphs with Opening Night Messa da Requiem

Queensland Ballet

Key Facts:

 Marking the inaugural season of Artistic Director, Ivan Gil-Ortega, and the opening of QPAC’s newest theatre, the production has been met with unanimous praise from critics.

 “Messa da Requiem is instead a great, big, earth-shattering bang – a work of Biblical proportions in every sense,” said Nick Dent, Brisbane Times.

 “It’s strong, elegant dance with endlessly beautiful stage pictures elevated by Emma Ryott’s marvellous costumes,” said Deborah Jones, The Australian.

 

Marking the inaugural season of Artistic Director, Ivan Gil-Ortega, and the opening of QPAC’s newest theatre, the production has been met with unanimous praise from critics.

 

“Messa da Requiem is instead a great, big, earth-shattering bang – a work of Biblical proportions in every sense,” said Nick Dent, Brisbane Times.

 

“It’s strong, elegant dance with endlessly beautiful stage pictures elevated by Emma Ryott’s marvellous costumes,” said Deborah Jones, The Australian.

 

“Messa da Requiem is immense. It’s moving. And it’s visually unforgettable,” said Regan Baker, The Scoop.

 

A monumental collaboration between Queensland Ballet, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Brisbane Chorale and Canticum Chamber Choir, Messa da Requiem unleashes the full emotional force of dance, voice and music to bring Verdi’s towering score to life.

 

Opening night and the first weekend performances were sold out, with limited tickets still available for performances during the week and across the Easter Saturday.

 

The triumphant opening sets the tone for a bold 2026 season under Gil-Ortega, featuring an exciting mix of new works, international artistry and beloved classics, including another work by Christan Spuck in the triple bill, Strings.

 

2026 season highlights and new productions include

• Elastic Hearts, choreographed by Garry Stewart to the music of Sia
• Strings, a triple bill of three fast-paced contemporary ballets by leading European choreographers, including Christian Spuck, all united through the use of string instruments played by Camerata Orchestra
• Hamlet by Croatian choreographer, Leo Mujic
• Bespoke, an evening of dance showcasing rising Australian talents
• The Nutcracker, a new production by British choreographer, Derek Deane.

Subscriptions and tickets for the remainder of the 2026 season are currently available see here                       

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Editors note

• Claire Vince, [email protected] / 0468 726 910

• Media release and assets here

 

Performance Details

• Queensland Ballet proudly presents acclaimed European choreographer, Christian Spuck’s monumental production, Messa da Requiem. A landmark collaboration with the state’s flagship companies, Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Brisbane Chorale and Canticum Chamber Choir, Messa da Requiem unleashes the full force of dance, music, and opera to elevate Verdi’s score to new heights.

• Dates and Times: March 27 – April 4, 2026
• Venue: Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Grey Street, South Bank, QLD, 4101
• Tickets $65 - $198. Bookings here  Duration 90 minis, no interval 

 

About us:

About Queensland Ballet

Queensland Ballet's mission is to contribute to Australia's cultural landscape by being an integral part of the national and international ballet ecology - striving for artistic excellence, pathways for emerging artists, and impact through our community outreach, education, and Dance Health programs. We aim to enrich lives and contribute to wellness across society through the magic of ballet.

 About Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

QPAC is Queensland’s premier performing arts centre with four venues including three theatres and one concert hall. Since opening in 1985, QPAC has welcomed more than 30 million people and played host to more than 33, 500 performances on its stages. The Centre’s fifth venue, the Glasshouse Theatre will open in 2026, making QPAC Australia’s largest performing arts centre under one roof. QPAC is a venue for hire as well as a producer, investor, presenter and public place for live performance.  QPAC embraces the best in live performance: the world-renowned alongside the emerging, local and new. It aims to amplify the voices of diverse communities, to provoke thought and reflection, and deliver remarkable live arts experiences to audiences. 

 About Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) is the state’s flagship orchestra, bringing the joy of live music to audiences across Queensland and beyond. Based in Brisbane, QSO performs a rich and diverse program of classical masterpieces, contemporary works alongside an extensive regional tours and community engagement each year.

Renowned for its world-class musicians and dynamic performances, QSO celebrates the power of music to connect, inspire and transform. Each year, QSO performs for more than 1 million people making music accessible to all Queenslanders. Learn more at qso.com.au

 

About Brisbane Chorale

Brisbane Chorale is a well established symphonic choir with a reputation for outstanding choral performance.   Under the artistic leadership of Emily Cox AM, Chorale’s extensive repertoire spans music from the baroque to the present day and includes Australian and world premières. Chorale has collaborated extensively with all of Brisbane’s major orchestras, festivals, professional and emerging artists and has appeared in international touring productions.  The choir’s mission is to bring the joy and exhilaration of great choral symphonic works to audiences in southeast Queensland and beyond.

About Canticum Chamber Choir

Canticum Chamber Choir is one of Brisbane's finest small choral ensembles. Known for presenting diverse, virtuosic repertoire in innovative ways, Canticum is equally at home in multi-artform productions and traditional choir settings. Under the artistic leadership of founding Music Director Emily Cox AM, the ensemble has collaborated with major professional arts companies, has performed in spaces from modern art galleries to state concert halls and international choral events, and its recordings are heard frequently on ABC Classic FM. Canticum’s mission is to explore the western choral canon, to present Australian premieres of works by international composers, and to foster works by Australian composers. 

Contact details:

 Claire Vince  [email protected] / 0468 726 910

• Media release and assets here